The Sacrament of Penance (Abashkharootiun) – Part 3 of 6

Preparation for Penance

There is a certain approach one should have toward the reality of sin, and it can be examined through the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector found in Luke 18:9-14. As they both approached their sinfulness before God, the Pharisee judged himself in terms of others, while the tax collector, with humility, judged himself in terms of God’s law. Between the two sinners, it was the tax collector who was justified.¹

The use of penitential prayer is the difference between the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee was proud of his good deeds, while the tax collector asked for forgiveness for his sins. Ultimately, one was penitent, and the other was not. When sin is truly acknowledged, there is no sin beyond God’s forgiveness, but regardless of the sin committed, the condition for God’s forgiveness is the prayer of a penitent heart.²

There are a few suggestions we can do to prepare ourselves for the sacrament of Penance, but it is vital to keep in mind that none of these preparations are substitutes for the sacrament itself.³

Preparation 1 – Examine our conscience:

• Recall to our mind the places, persons, actions, and habits that lead us to sin.
• Recall all of the wrongs we have committed in thought, word, and deed. Sins of commission and omission.
• Review the commandments of God and precepts of the Church, and think about how we may have violated them.
• Read Matthew 22:34-39, and ask ourselves how we have violated these commandments in thought, word, or deed.
• Ask ourselves specific questions. As an Armenian Orthodox Christian...
  
1. Have I seriously doubted anything that I'm bound to believe?
2. Have I spoken lightly or disrespectfully regarding sacred things?
3. Have I been guilty of impure thoughts and desires?
4. Have I provoked anyone else to impurity of thought, word, or deed?
5. Have I nursed hate in my heart or desired revenge against anyone?
6. Have I been quick to judge or condemn others?
7. Have I engaged in idle and hurtful gossip?
8. Have I withheld mercy and forgiveness from anyone at any time?⁴

Preparation 2 – Read Scripture:

• I John 1:8-10
• Psalm 139:23-24
• Psalm 51
• Psalm 32
• Luke 15:11-32

Preparation 3 – Asceticism:

• The Armenian Orthodox faithful are asked to fast on the morning of the Divine Liturgy in order to receive the Eucharist, but fasting is not limited to this day. We can follow the regular fasting days of the week (Wednesday and Friday – no animal products), or we can fast according to our own discretion. No matter how we fast, it is never done in isolation apart from the Church. We can also look into other spiritual disciplines that the Church encourages us to practice.

Preparation 4 – Pray:

• All of the above suggested preparations should be done prayerfully, but direct prayer is also vital to prepare our hearts before the sacrament of Penance. We can take the time during the “Der Voghormya” portion of the Divine Liturgy to pray for ourselves and for others, but again, we are not restricted to pray just during this time. Prior to the Divine Liturgy, or during the week, we can and should set apart time to pray. We can use our own words, we can pray the Prayer of Manasseh from the Old Testament, or simply pray the prayer of the tax collector from Luke 18:13, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!”

Although we would like to think that we approach the sacrament of Penance with the right intent and heart, we all can easily fall into the habit of approaching it mechanically, and as a mere ritual. We need to keep at the very front of our minds that following the formalities of this sacrament, or any sacrament for that matter, is not sufficient. In the case of Penance, this approach can result in adopting a soft view of sin and repentance. In his short book, Penance, Rev. Vartan Kasparian gives an outline of the typical mentality when this happens:

1. I have sinned
2. I will go to confession
3. The priest will give me absolution
4. My sins will be forgiven
5. I’ll go about my business
6. When/If I sin again, I’ll go to confession again⁵

Kasparian goes on to explain how true repentance is more than just feeling sorry for one’s sins. Without true repentance, the sacrament of Penance becomes merely an exercise in externals⁶. Furthermore, if the penitential life is the core value of Armenian Orthodox spirituality, and serves as evidence of a consecrated life to God, and if salvation is found in penance and confession, how much more serious should we take this sacrament? True and authentic repentance is what God desires, and it is what we should desire. It involves:

1. Acknowledgment – we admit that that we have sinned against God
2. Contrition – we express sorrow for the sins we have committed
3. Resolution – with God’s grace, we will not repeat these sins again
4. Effort – we consciously avoid the things that tempt us to repeat these sins
5. Confession – we disclose our sins to God and others, and ask for God’s mercy and forgiveness⁷

When we move beyond contrition, we avoid approaching the sacrament of Penance mechanically, or as mere ritual. A truly penitent heart is essential for reconciliation, and it will take effort on our part to prepare ourselves for this act of worship. We are not alone in our sins, and our sin affects the entire Body. So as we prepare ourselves for repentance, let us include each other in our prayers, and offer support any way that we can. Remember, we are all on the same path to attain reconciliation and union with God.


…But you, O Lover of humankind and Longsuffering One, do not always be angry with me and do not keep vengeance forever. For I am yours from the womb, and you are my Lord and my God. Have mercy on me, the work of your hands, and through your divine grace restore your benevolent image in me, which was distorted by sin. Enlighten the eyes of my mind so that I may straighten my course in the path of your commandments. Harness my earthly desires and my persistently irrational passions through the fear of godliness. Conflagrate my soul with your divine love that I may offer sacrifices of praise, as it pleases your benevolence. Do not let me fall into the hands of the enemy of my salvation, who is drawing near to cast me into the outer darkness. Rather, visit me through your compassion and deliver me…

- Hovhannes of Garni, Seven Daily Prayers; Excerpt from the prayer for Friday

Sources
¹ Rev. Vartan Kasparian, Penance, 5.
²Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, Conversing with God, 36.
³ Kasparian, Penance, 18-19.
⁴ ibid., 19-23.
⁵ ibid., 13.
⁶ ibid., 14.
⁷ ibid., 14.